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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Open-Toe Booties: Yea or Nay?

First, let me start by saying this: I know my "yea or nay" picks will be polarizing. That's the point! It would be an exercise in futility with you awesome people to post a frothy 50s Dior couture dress (for example) and ask your opinion. That's right, I know how you tick! Instead, I usually post things that aren't necessarily my style but I think may be kind of cool (or I could be completely wrong about).

Today's on-the-edge fashion is open-toe booties. Readers, how I've struggled with this style. I first dismissed them as utterly fug. Then I started seeing them on some of my favorite retro style bloggers, looking glam paired with full-skirted dresses. How confusing this dark period was for me!

Another turning point in this scintillating story occurred yesterday, with the arrival of the new Anthropologie catalog. Readers, I saw these:

And was inexplicably drawn to them. I just like them, that's all there is to it. I showed them to Jeff.

"Well, you don't have any other shoes like them, that's for sure," he declared. (He often puzzles over why I need, say, hot pink pumps in two different styles.)

"Are they . . . ugly?" I asked.

"Borderline," he replied.

So yes, I have ordered these "borderline ugly" shoes so I can see for myself. But what do you think, readers? What say you of open-toed booties in general?

Now, for a few footwear fashions that I hope aren't polarizing. First, what I think may indeed be the ugliest pair of shoes I have ever seen:

And on the other end of the spectrum: these fabulous platform pumps, which I admit are on their way to me as well, due to a moment of weakness and an Anthro gift card. Look at the raspberry-colored piping and hidden platform!

Now, if you need a good laugh at Anthropologie's expense after viewing any of these, you must read Regretsy's new feature: Etsy or Anthropologie? Pure awesome. She really stumped me with the plastic dinosaur brooch.

85 comments:

My vote is Nay for the simple fact that booties seem to me to be a winter shoe and my feet are always cold in the winter. Plus, I just can't imagine a Washington DC winter day that isn't wet, slushy, muddy or road salty and getting any of that stuff in the open toe would ruin my day.

I was just looking at several pairs on Zappos last night. I think they are great in a nude or lighter color. I think they can be klunky looking in darker colors. I didn't buy them, yet. But Sofft has a couple of pairs that look not only stylish, but comfortable, so I may indulge yet!

I think yay but in the lovely cold UK they do require you to commit another fashion faux pas of mine which is wearing tights with open toe shoes. But I think that if you're going to throw a rule out of the window you should do it with style and wear them with some outrageous tights.

I'm not too sure about the ones you posted because I'm not a big fan of clogs, but I have seen some lovely ones about!

I'm kind of all over the map about these! Part of me is firmly nay--they just look weird and strike me as one of those trendy items that we'll all be looking back at in five years, wondering why we bought into the hype of open toe boots. lol. But, I do have a pair of sling-back pumps that are slightly similar in style (though definitely not booties) with the open toe and high vamp. But then again, I am forever the traditionalist when it comes to footwear... I tend to err on the side of what is classic and flattering over trendy stuff. It takes me forever to jump on a bandwagon with fashion stuff! ;)

Love the other shoes you bought though--I'm seriously jealous! haha! Anthro has lately been tempting me right and left with pretty footwear. ;)

I have to say I am follower of the Open-Toe boot's i have these oneshttp://www.uggboots.cx/blog/?p=6137I adore them but only to be worn in summer!! I'm loving the last pair of shoes you pictured they are lovely x

Nay. That said, the first ones you posted are not as bad as some. It's the ones which look like boots with the toes cut out that I object to. I'm definitely too geared towards practicality to spend money on boots that won't even keep my toes warm!

like others have said these are on the line. If they were a full boot with a peep toe then oh dear lord no. But these are more like a shoe. Now this pair are not my thing but I can see how it might work.

I absolutely love shoe-booties, open toed or otherwise. Do I have a single pair? NO. My short little legs just can' handle them. Well, maybe I could under some long legged pants but that would hide them, so what's the point? I so have shoe bootie envy.

My real issue with booties is where they cut off the leg - I like a nice open line there, so I don't look stumpy. That being said, those are cute shoes - I saw them in the catalog and was tempted, but I knew I wouldn't wear them. Those pumps though - to die for!

I'm kinda super picky when it comes to shoes. Personally I wouldn't get any of those because I dislike wearing clogs, espadrilles, wedges, peep toes AND platforms. However on someone else I think all of those shoes could look great. (Even the super weird looking wedges.)

But I'm more of a ballet flats or boots sort of girl. I'm also a size 5 :PWhich means I could ONLY wear those super ugly ones.

I'm a firm yea. Of course that could be because I have a serious boot fetish and booties are plenty close enough for me. I actually like the open toe look, although I have trouble wearing it due my own toe configuration. But if you can wear it, I say go for it!

My vote's a Nay for them, not because I find them 'borderline ugly' but because I find them so boring. On the other hand, I do find myself attracted to what you called the ugliest pair of shoes you have ever seen, so maybe I just have really bad taste in shoes. Okay, I admit it, I love ugly shoes.

I get the draw to the shoe. The bow makes it, but....I have recently seen many girls wearing them in California, and they just look bulky and unfeminine on the foot. Maybe because they are wearing them with the leggings. Maybe you can pull it off in one of your adorable dresses.

I say nay because I think booties of all types are just hideous in general. Just about the most unflattering thing you could put on your feet - plus I reject all this 80s throwback stuff on principle. I do like the colour of the ones you posted, and the bow is very sweet, but that's not enough to elicit a 'yea' from me.

I far prefer the wedges you declared ugly, though I'd have to see them on a pair of feet to determine whether I actually liked them (can't quite figure them out in that picture).

Yay. Very modern and it looks like you have nice small feet? I agree with the light colour as a choice. The concealed platform pair are beuuuutiful!

Also, I cane across this website selling modern foundation garments from Gok Wan - a UK stylist. He is really trying to help fuller figure women feel good about there bodies and teaching them ways to enhance in the right places!

I absolutely hate nude-colored shoes (I hate beige pretty much across the board), and open-toes mostly suggest to me that I'll spend a lot of time digging debris out of my stockings, but if somebody else can find a way to pull them off, more power to them.

I'm not totally sure I'd call those "booties," even. The backs are open. They're more like slingback armadillos or something.

I am not quite sure why but I am also drawn to the bootie! I think it may be because the heel is also open, so the open toe isn't as incongruous. Would definitely have to see it on to fully judge, please post a photo when you get them! Kudos to you for taking a risk :)

Open-toed booties are one of those trends that struck me as horrifyingly ugly initially ... but now that my eye has become accustomed to the shape, I like them more and more. And I, too, have ogled that particular Anthro pair.

I also dismissed the open toed booties and rolled my eyes when they first came out. But I have to say, that they are growing on me. I've seen a few pairs like this one that are really cute. HOWEVER, open toed knee-high boots? I think not. Ever.

Open-toed boots have grown on me a bit, too... I thought the idea was ridiculous at first but I've since seen style bloggers and other regular people looking fabulous in them. It really depends on the style; it's not a shoe type that I can universally support, LOL. Weather also plays a factor... I think you can pull off an open-toed boot more easily in a place like LA than NY. I don't like ones that look 100% like regular boots, but have the toe cut off. Other styles, though, work for me. I have one pair that is kind of a mix of bootie and sandal... they're open enough to wear in the summer, but if I wore them with black socks/tights they can work in the winter (I would wear different shoes to get to/from work anyway since they're heels so weather doesn't matter!). What is truly stupid, though, are those leather sandals that are a flip flops but with an ankle shaft. WTF?!

I think both pairs of shoes you ordered are really cute! The first pair is not really 'me' but I think you will rock them!

I already know my style is different than yours, but I'll throw my opinion out there just for the sake of data :)

shoe #1- dislike because in general i dislike ankle booties. including ones without toes, and and missing heel covering. I don't care for the shape or color. That said, I have seen a couple of toeless booties that aren't all that bad...

shoe #2- i really like the shape and design, not so much the color and pattern- I don't hate these.

Big fat NAY to the open-toe booties. Booties are not my favorite shoes in the first place-- those of us who have (a) short legs and (b) cankles look particularly ridiculous in them, as if we've sprouted hooves-- but that open toe completely defeats any cold/foul weather utility that the boots may have had in the first place.

On the other hand, the bow is an interesting detail, and the neutral color isn't very offensive. So I suppose the look would be good on some people; it's just not for me.

I really like the booties you posted, but I think it all depends on the person and where you live. I saw a girl in open toed fur-lined boots the other day, and that was just ridiculous. The Anthro ones are cute, and don't scream 'winter', they'd be perfect for fall/spring or the warmer winter days. Personally, I don't like open-toed anything, so these sort of shoes will never grace my feet, but I'm sure you'll be able to pull them off beautifully.

I think they're the nicest ones I've seen, being quite low on the ankle and having the bow, but that's not saying much; a definite nay from me. For most women, the heel is the least attractive part of the foot, I certainly wouldn't want to draw attention to it with that weird cutout.

A definite yay for the pumps though, they're gorgeous and the shape is very 1940s.

Definite nay and a why oh why were they invented?!? I've yet to see anyone wearing a pair and look good in them. To me they are very ugly (I don't know why but they always make me think of fetish wear) and unflattering because of the way they cut off and shorten the legs and take away the ankle shape making calves look very dumpy.

I keep seeing them with the kind of dresses you favor and loving the look. I think it's because it reminds me of the 50's style high heeled galoshes/winter boots my aunts used to wear. I vote yes, but I also love wearing clunky men's shoes with party dresses a la Lena Horschek...

The pumps with the raspberry piping are gorgeous and I want a pair. I loathe peep toe shoes and particularly peep toe booties, although I know many people love them. I prefer either totally closed toes or totally open sandals.

I'm in Boston, and was wary of the open toed bootie thing for practical reasons. i bought a pair (anthropologie) and I LOVE THEM! Way more practical than I thought, I can wear them 3 seasons; winter not being one of them. But I do have long legs--so I understand the concerns of the shorter women. There are so many different styles and colors--I'm sure there is a pair for everyone! If you are curious, I have a few post of them.....Paula

I think it is possible for there to a be a cool element to the open toe booties. That being said, I go for nay because in my opinion, booties tend to make our legs look shorter by chopping them into 1/3 or 1/4. Unless of course you are a super tall skinny person:) At the end of the day they are super trendy. Kind of like jellies. (those 80s sandals?) Look OK in the time but not breathtaking and not really a keeper.:)

I like those booties, but I would think of them more as slingback sandals than booties. The open heel makes them more seasonally appropriate and less seasonally confused. I also like the 'ugly' shoes, I'm a sucker for african inspired prints.

I'm just glad I'm not the only one. When I first saw the shootie, I was nearly pissed off with disliking them so hard. Heh. Now? I suddenly find myself giving in to them and just about having to have some. I don't know if they've gotten better or I've weakened!

I like the ones you've ordered. I have really long legs and super skinny ankles, so I sort of want dark ones myself, but the pale shoe will be lovely on you.

Given the right outfit...I think these are cute. I can imagine Kate Hudson wearing them. For me I am more inclined to the lovely nude colored pumps with the piping. I love the cut-away on the inside of the shoe. Very Pretty...

these booties do look cute, but i imagine anyone without endless model legs would look quite stumpy (if that even is a word ;))but i don't know if my opinion says anything, because i like the "ugliest shoes ever" you posted :D

p.s. i have a question about guessing the age of vintage patterns: did the pattern come out in the copyright year or one year later/earlier/the year doesn't have anything to do with that? i guess i don't know anything about copyright stuff :D

I say yay!! I love booties, open toe or not. I think they are cute, definitely girly with the bow, and I think the color would be good because it's ligher and won't look like it's cutting your leg off at the ankle.

I tend to wear more classic shapes with a slight vintage feel (pencil skirts, full skirts) and I feel shoes and accessories are a great way to try out a trend without overhauling your entire wardrobe. I would pair these with a full skirt dress, some bright tights and call it a day. Although I live in San Francisco so weather is less of a factor than NY.

Nay... butI think that they have a nice look/design in the picture (by themselves). I do feel that they would not look good worn. One of those cases of it looked good on the shelf, but not so nice on.Ann

If you can pull off an open-toed bootie more power to you. I personally think they're one of the most ridiculous inventions. Why try to make two polar opposite styles of shoes into one? Besides, where I live, there's at least 3 ft of snow 8 months of the year.

I would say yes in general, but am not so fancy about the first pair you showed. Somehow they're "too much" with the bow...and maybe in this particular pair I think the open-toe doesn't fit. But the platform pumps are gorgeous!

hmm, I'm actually not particularly enamoured of any of the shoes here although I'm probably most likely to wear the ones you think are ugly! I have a bit of a thing for remaking shoes using bits and pieces I have lying around... eg... http://stylewilderness.blogspot.com/2011/01/footwear-style-in-fringe-ment.htmlI wish I had not read the bit about Regretsy because now I will be itching to check it out when I really should be working!!!

Hi Gertie - I love LOOKING at the bootie's, but I'd never wear them. Now the shoes with the piping I LOVE, LOVE. Also, the website you sent me to with the watches -OMG!!! I love both of them and must have them immediately. I one with the wings could be worn everyday with jeans and a t-shirt (my everyday wear) and then the other one could be worn if I wanted to be more dressy. =D

High heels and platforms are just a modern form of footbinding. "Look at me! I'm not practical. I'm decorative. I'm vulnerable. I can't run away or fight you off. I am submissive really. I don't threaten you in any way. I may be tall in these shoes, but in all these ways, they make me available to you." What Germaine Greer call "F***-me shoes." And it's true, you can't walk, you can't run, you can't carry anything. You're wrecking your back." So the wearer really can't even claim irony. Degrading shoes (far more effective than any abaya).